Thursday, July 19, 2012

Effort by Local Democratic Activists Generates 2,000 Signatures in Five Days

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer touted a strong grassroots effort by local activists that generated 2,000 signatures as candidate Dave Curson filed today to run as a Democratic candidate in the 11th Congressional District special election, which was prompted by U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter’s abrupt resignation on July 6.

“It’s a testament to the strength of our local grassroots organization in Wayne and Oakland counties that the Michigan Democratic Party collected more valid signatures in five days than Thad McCotter managed to come up with in five months,” said Brewer. “The enthusiasm is so high that we had voters actually seeking out Democratic Party volunteers and staffers to sign a nominating petition to get our candidate on the ballot. We plan on sustaining that enthusiasm the whole way through November.”

Curson is a resident of Belleville, a Marine Corps veteran and a longtime labor and community activist.

The special election will select a representative to serve out the remainder of McCotter’s term for the old 11th Congressional District. If more than one Democrat and one Republican files to run for the seat, the special primary election will be Sept. 5. The special general election will be held concurrently with the Nov. 6 presidential election.